Brook House Immigration Removal Centre

We have received a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 for the following:
How many violent assaults have been reported, by…

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We have received a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 for the following:

How many violent assaults have been reported, by one detainee against another, at Brook House, the Immigration Removal Centre, at Gatwick Airport in the 4 month period; 1 February 2010 to 31 May 2010?

In the same period at Brook House, how many violent assaults by detainees on staff have been reported?

In the same period at Brook House how many detainees have self-harmed?

In the same period at Brook House how many reports of drug use have there been?

We released the following information on 15 July 2010.

Between 1 February and 31 May 2010 there have been 22 reports of assault by detainees on fellow detainees. Any detainee who assaults a fellow detainee is removed from normal location for a period of time while a risk assessment is carried out to determine the threat they pose to the safety and security of the centre. These decisions are taken on a case by case basis on assessment of the risk the individual presents rather than as a matter of routine. Any detainee who has been assaulted is asked whether they would like centre staff to inform the police of the incident on their behalf.

Between 1 February and 31 May 2010 there have been 50 reports of staff being assaulted by detainees at the centre. A detainee who has assaulted a member of staff will be removed from normal location for a period of time while a risk assessment is carried out to determine the threat they pose to the safety and security of the centre. These decisions are taken on a case by case basis on assessment of the risk the individual presents rather than as a matter of routine. The member of staff would then be asked if they would like the police to be contacted.

All incidents of self harm are treated very seriously and every step is taken to try and prevent incidents of this nature. Staff at all centres are trained to help identify and prevent suicide and self harm and notices in various languages are displayed setting out that, where there is a concern about a fellow detainee, this should be brought to the attention of a member of staff. Assessment Care in Detention and Teamwork (ACDT), a system used for monitoring detainees considered to be at risk of self harm, is operated across the UK Border Agency detention estate, and is modelled on that used by the Prison Service. ACDT is a care planning system whereby staff from all areas work together to create a safe and caring environment and provide individual care to detainees.

Between 1 February and 31 May 2010 there have been 2 reports of drug use at the centre. Drugs finds are reported to the police liaison officer by the centre security department and depending on the substance and quantity of the find, the drugs would either be removed by the police or destroyed on site. It would be for the police to decide whether further criminal charges would be brought.